witty



(N0 Model.)

J. B. WITTY.

SWITCH STAND.

Patented May 13, 18 84.

Ilsirrnn Srarns Parent Orrrcn.

JOHN B. \VITTY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF PART TO. HENRY H. MOGAFFEY, DANIEL F. XVIIITOOMB, AND BYRON HUTOI-IINSON, ALL

SWITCH-STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,537, dated May 13, 1884.

Application filed October 2, 1883.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN B. WITTY, of the city of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Stands, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention consists in certain im provements in the construction and arrangement of parts of that class of railway appliances known as switch -stands, whereby there is produced a device of said character embodying several new and d esirable features, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a railway-track embodying switches to which my improved switch-stand is applied; Fig. 2, a side elevation of said stand; Fig. 3, a central vertical section of the same on the dotted line z 2, except that the parts are shown in raised position; Fig. 4, an elevation as seen from the dotted line 3 y Fig. 5, a horizontal. sectional view as seen when looking downwardly from the dotted line 00 m,- Fig. 6, a detail view of the clutch and surrounding portions, and Fig. 7 a horizontal sectional view as seen when looking upwardly from the dot ted line 20 10.

In said drawings, the portions marked A represent the head-blocks on which the stand is mounted B, the casting or framework of the stand; 0, the operating-rod of the stand D, a circular casting incasing the clutch; E, the bar connecting the rod 0 with the railroadrails, and F said rails.

The general construction and arrangement of the railroad, including the switches and connections, are not novel, and are only shown to illustrate the workings of the switch-stand, in which is included all of my present invention. It will not therefore be further described, except incidentally in explaining the workings of said switch-stand.

The casting B is substantially a semi-cone having a base and top cast integrally therewith of suitable size and shape to sustain the mechanism. The base is extended to a suffiof the frame B.

(No model.)

cient size to stand on two long ties or headblocks, thus giving the stand a much firmer support than when mounted only on one.

Around the top of this casting is formed a row of holes or notches, b, which are adapted to receive a corresponding projection, I), on the handle 0 when said handle is down, thereby serving as a lock or catch for the stand.

The operating-rod O is preferably square, but is provided with round bearing portions, (a collar or sleeve, 0, and an extension of the hub of the part 0",) to permit it to turn freely in the stand-frame. It has firmly secured thereto, at or near its top, a cap, 0, which fits over and is adapted to revolve upon the upper end of the casting B. At a point lower down it has the latch 0 to which the handle may be locked. To a point near its lower end is secured the clutch part 0, which engages with the suitablyformed upper face of the base To its extreme lower end is secured the crank O, to which the connectingbar E is connected.

The cap 0 has the handle or lever c, by which the mechanism is operated, pivoted thereto. Said handle has a cam-faced end, which, when said handle is raised from the position shown by Figs. 2 and 4 to that shown by Fig. 3, will operate upon the bearing to raise the rod 0 sufliciently to disengage the looks or clutches which hold it from turning, when at rest, and permit the mechanism to be operated to throw the switch.

The latch O is provided with a hub, 0 and is secured on the rod 0 by means of a setscrew, 0 passing through said hub and against said rod. It has a tenon shaped end, over which a mortise-shaped hole in the handle a fits. Said end has a small hole, 0', in which a lock may be inserted, and the handle may be thus securely locked, preventing any per- 0 son not provided with a key to said lock from moving the switch. It also serves as a means for limiting the throw of the switch by coming in contact with the sides of the framework B when swung around on either side, it 9 5 being adapted to stop it at the proper point for the clutches to engage and lock the switch.

The clutch part Of is provided with downwardly-projecting lugs c, which fit into and engage with notches], formed to receive them in the upper face of the horizontal part of the frame-work B, near its base. There are usually four of these lugs and an equal number of notches. They are preferably formed to taper toward theirlower ends, and the notches formed correspondingly flaring at their top, as shown, (see Fig. 6,) thus adapting them to more readily engage with each other and fa cilitate the workings of the clutch. The switch illustrated is a three-throw switch, (that is, adapted to operate in connection with a main track,having a side track on either side,) and the lugs are therefore placed at right angles with each other. The hub of this clutch part lextendsdown through an opening formed to receive it in the horizontal portion of the sland-frame B, and serves as a journal-bearing for the rod 0.

The crank 0' extends in the same direction from the rod 0 as does the latch C at the top end, and has the same movement. The bar E is connected to the wrist of this crank in the ordinary manner. In order to give additional stability to the switch when set for the main track, an additional catch orlock is provided by bolting or spiking a connecting piece or bar, 0, between the head-blocks, as shown, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) and providing a hole ornotch, c, therein, directly under the end-ofthe crank, and adapted to receive the end of the wrist 'of said crank when the switch is set for the main track and its parts are in a locked position. \Vhen the red C is raised up, it operates to free the crank from this notch, as well as to disengage the clutch, before described.

The casting 1) is adapted to incase the clutch part 0. It is provided with a flange, (1, on its front side, by means of which it is bolted to the horizontal part of the frame-work B. On the back side it is held in place by a projection, (1, fitting under a projection, I), on the framework. Its top is formed into a neck of suliicient size to permit the red C to operate freely therein. It is provided with a cap, D, which is rigidly secured to the red C by means of a set-screw, (F. This cap is adapted to fit down over the neck-like part of the casting D, and when the switch is in locked position to rest on an outwardly-projecting collar, (1, around the lower portion of said neck, and thus completely close the top of the casting D, and thereby prevent any snow, ice, dirt, or other substance which would impair the working of the clutch from getting therein. \V'hen the rod Ois raised,the

cap D rises with it; but the neck is of sufficient length so that its top is still within said cap after it has been raised, thus preventing anyingress to the clutch at all times.

Having thus fully described my said invention,whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a switch-stand, the combination of the frame B, the operating-rod G, and the latch G, mounted on said rod near its upper end, and provided with a hub, c, as a means whereby said latch may be secured in position on said rod, said latch being also adapted to come in I contact with the sides of said frame when the switch is thrown from the main track to one of the side tracks, and thus limit the throw at the proper point, substantially as described, and for thepurposes specified.

2. In aswitch-stand, the combination of the frame-work 12, having an extended base, the operating-rod O, journaled in the top and base ofsaid frame-work, and provided with a clutch part, 0", and the casing D, secured to the base of said frame-work surrounding said clutch part, and extending up around and in close proximity to said operating-rod, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

3. In aswitch-stand, the combination of the frame-workB, having a projection, b", the operating-rod 0, having a clutch part, O near its lower end, and the casing D, provided on its front side with a flange, d, by means of which it is secured to the horizontal part of the frame B, and on its rear side with a projection, d, which fits undersaid projection bon the frame, whereby said casting is secured in position, substantially as set forth.

4. In aswitch-stand, the combination,with the operating-rod 0, having a clutch part, 0, thereon, of the casting D, its upper end being formed into a neck, and a cap, D, secured to the operating-rod, and adapted to fit down over said neck, thereby preventing any ingress to the clutch, substantially as set forth.

5. In a switch-stand, the combination, with the head-blocks A. stand-frame B, and operating-rod 0, provided on its lower end with a crank, O, of the piece 0', bolted between said head-blocks, and provided with an orifice, 0', into which the end of thewrist of said crank is adapted to fit when the switch isinlockedposition, substantially as described, and for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 27th day of September, A. D. 1883.

JOHN B. XVITTY. [L. s]

In presence of- E. W. BRADFORD. Oims. L. TIIURBER. 

